With the dawn of winters, the temperature starts to plunge low and hence, the need to have an effective heating system increases. Most households have Furnaces that keep the house warm and cozy through the cold morning and chilly nights. With time these furnaces can malfunction or tend to work with lesser efficiency, so you need to acquire the skills to keep it running for a comfortable time. By maintaining the furnace yourself you will save on cash and will acquire handy skills for later use. We have laid out tips for maintenance but, before you get your hands dirty, there are some precautions that you must take. Make sure to turn off all electric supply, or in case of a Gas Furnace, switch close the main gas supply.
Moving on to the tips:

- Initially, inspect the burner flames so as to ensure that the heat is provided evenly. The flame should be of blue color and should not look irregular. If the flames are yellow, this means that the burner is dirty and needs servicing.

- Use a vacuum to clean between the burner and blower. Make sure to reach hidden gaps and small holes that have accumulated dust and other dirt particles.

- Gently take off the blower by unscrewing it and try to clean it with a dry cloth or air. You can also use thin brushes to clean the blower blades, however, make sure to apply less pressure and not damage the mechanics of the blades.

- Furthermore, look to replace the air filter and get a high-quality fiberglass air filter that blocks out the dirt but, does not strain the blower. Try to seal any open ducts that may lead to leakage. Use metal tape as it covers well and is safe for heat and electricity.

- Use a drinking straw to blow a thin line of air onto the pilot to remove the dust. The dust may block and lead to a false reading of the pilot not operating, which may lead to malfunction.

- Moving on, inspect the belt so it should be firmly on the motor. The belt should not be damaged with cracks, if it is then, replaces it with a new belt which wouldn’t cost much. Slightly, loosen the belt screws and slack the belt to pull it out for replacement. A well-working belt improves the efficiency of the motor, overall improving the furnace’s performance.

- Finally, oil the motor and bearings to avoid any rusting or unwanted residue. A furnace is a mechanical machine and with friction these components heat and deteriorate, so it is better to keep them lubricated for high performance.

With these tips and your expertise, you will feel comfortable with an effective running heating system all through the harsh winter. Basic maintenance for such equipment can improve their efficiency and can make them durable. On the contrary, not maintaining the Furnace and not giving it the necessary tune-up required, you are setting yourself up for unexpected breakdown, hike in energy bills and compromised efficiency. 

And here comes a problem faced by every other Toronto homeowners when it comes to the attempts of upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Homeowners complain that even after them having upgraded their HVAC system to the most efficient units they could possibly afford, the expected efficiency is nowhere seen and energy bills have not significantly dropped. The reasons behind this could be two. One is faulty ductwork while the other is failing attic insulation. As long as these two do not support the new system enough, optimal efficiency should not be expected even if the system is brand new and super-efficient. Below we discuss why attic renewal and ductwork fixes should be combined with upgraded system installation. 

This is 2020 and the debate of whether or not the air duct needs regular cleaning is still as hot as it was. While some suggest that air ducts don't need cleaning and cleaning creates more mess, others opine that the dust and debris from the air ducts impact the homeowner's health and therefore, the ducts need to be cleaned thoroughly after a period of one year. So the question is; should everyone have their ducts cleaned and does cleaning the ducts really make a difference? Let's explore.

What does EPA say?

Environmental Protection Agency of the US has clearly explained that no evidence exists, proving that duct cleaning improved the health of the homeowners and therefore, does not endorse a duration as one year and that too as a must. The reason why there are so many articles over the internet on the importance of duct cleaning is that an entire industry has built around this issue as a result of the demand from the homeowners. Homeowners want to have their ducts cleaned and are willing to pay a heavy amount for that while on the other hand, the cleaners are willing to hunt more and more customers. As a result, a mindset hs created convincing homeowners to have their ducts cleaned and convincing them to the point that they are found attributing all kinds of respiratory or bad indoor air problems to the ducts.

Does Duct Cleaning make all the difference? 

The truth is, cleaning alone cannot help as long as the root of pollutants is not identified and removed. For instance, if the duct builds up mold and mildew which causes odor and allergies in the indoor, the solutions lie not just in cleaning but also in fixing the causes that promote the production of these; for instance high humidity.

A heating and cooling system, whether it’s an LPG, gas, or oil-fired unit can only produce optimal home comfort when it is disciplined by the right Thermostat and ideal settings.
A right thermostat is one that delivers demonstrated energy savings and reliable performance with improved convenience and insight, not to mention, the computability with your HVAC system.

There are many brands offering smart thermostats that are energy-efficient, and control temperature based on your lifestyle. With a plethora of thermostats available in the market, choosing the right one often becomes a sticky-wicket for homeowners. 

You don't see HVAC appliances in sight as you visit someone. And you know the reason. They are kept in places which are out of sight. For instance, garage, attic, closet or most commonly basement. And these are the places where all the other stuff is thrown out which the homeowners wishes to hide. Though common, this is a deadly practice. And while the professional's endorsement of keeping the space around HVAC appliances goes unheard, it could take lives. This blog is dedicated to making your HVAC space safe. Be mindful of all the pieces of advice made here and the consequences of cluttering your HVAC space.

1. Inadequate air flow 

When the surrounding of heating or cooling appliances is teamed with random stuff, the airflow is affected. And while you might already know that these appliances particularly the heating appliances need adequate supply of air in order to work efficiently. So, the immediate effect of a clutter filled surrounding is the affected efficiency of the appliance.

2. Off-gassing and bad IAQ

Items like sprays, paints and other chemicals emit fumes. This emission sometimes speeds up as a result of the heat produced by the HVAC appliances. These fumes spread rapidly all over the home and impact the indoor air quality. Sometimes the IAQ deteriorates so much that the indoor is more polluted than the outdoor. This off-gassing causes allergies, asthma and raises several other health concerns.

3. Danger of flammable items

Chemical fumes is one danger and flammable items yet another. You most often see the Furnace surrounded with card-boards, wooden items, small bottles of sprays etc. And all of these are a big big sign of danger. Once they catch fire, it if difficult to manage it. Also, some particular chemicals can undergo chemical reaction with the Furnace components and damage them.
At least a two feet of area around the Furnace should be kept cleared and specially of such flammable items.

4. No laundry around HVAC!

Strictly avoid washing lines close to Furnace as well as water heater. Even if they are not proper washing lines, people sometimes randomly hang or place clothes near the Furnace or Water Heater to dry. Similar to the wood or paper, cloths can also catch fire and even if they don't, hanging cloths close to these appliances definitely impedes the air flow.

5. Dust is the biggest culprit 

Did you know, the most of the Furnace fire incidents take place as a result of dust? Oh yes, the dust which clogs the system results in poor air flow which leads to short circuiting and fires. So the care of all cares is to clean! And clean regularly. Even during the off peak seasons, consider cleaning the appliance once every month so that it does not get dirty enough to set itself on fire (in anger).

6. Emergencies are difficult to handle with clutter 

Imagine if God forbid, an emergency situation arises, how much of the time would be wasted clearing the clutter? Emergencies become even difficult to manage when the surroundings of an appliance is full of clutter. It is just synonymous with putting yourself at risk.


If you're a concerned homeowner, you definitely do not wish to risk yourself or your home. And they say, prevention is better than cure. So better prevent yourself from such deadly situations instead of trying to cure them later. 

Indoor air pollution is a matter of increased concern and visibility. There are a plethora of companies marketing the products and services intended to improve the indoor air quality. Such companies have approached many homeowners and truth be told, duct cleaning services have made a massive growth in recent years because their role in pristine indoor air quality is imperative.

Wondering if duct cleaning is worth the money spent? Firstly NOT every homeowner needs to have their ducts cleaned. To help you be informed, whether you are the one who needs a thorough inspection, we have made a comprehensive guide, where you’ll learn: - What is air duct cleaning?
- How does air duct cleaning work?
- How often you need to have the air duct cleaned?
- What can air duct cleaning cost you?
- The possible health benefits

Why is My AC not blowing hard?:

The common issues when AC is not blowing hard: 

Replace broken Fans:

Solution: Turn off the ac and find the blower motor and clean if there is any dust. 

Clogged air filters:

Solution: Change the air filters.

Frozen evaporator coil:

Solution: Turn off the AC and let ice to melt, ensure return gates are all open and clean air filters if they are dirty. 

When to call an HVAC professional: